Page 142 of Dark Harmony

I glance around, at all the frozen faces. Malaki and Janus are sprawled on the ground, their forms unnaturally still, Galleghar hasn’t moved from where Temper knocked him out, and the rest of the Thief’s minions seem content to stay where they are.

The only other person who seems truly alive is Temper. My gaze falls to her just as she closes in on me.

Dear Temper, my best friend. A tear slips from her burning eyes.

I’ve only ever seen her cry twice.

She shakes her head. “Babe, this isn’t a dream.”

This … isn’t a dream?

But of course it is. No one is as they seem and nothing feels as it should.

My heart spasms, and that cold numbness, it’s reached my bond to Des.

I stumble then fall to my knees.

Realization is always described as an instant of enlightenment, but that’s not how it happens this time. The truth comes in slow, icy increments.

Iwasn’tdropped into some dream. I can remember the last minute and the minute before that. I can remember coming here, and I can remember every logical thing but that last, final one.

Des disappearing. Des leaving me.

Gasping out a breath, I clutch at my heart.

The darkness will betray you, the seer said.

I heave out a breath.

This is no dream.

It feels … it feels like I’ve fallen into an icy lake and the cold water is seizing up my lungs.

Another breath comes shuddering out.

If it isn’t a dream, that means that Des … Des …

My throat spasms as a cry works its way up.

I’m shaking my head.

No. No, no, no, no.

The cry is building at the back of my throat.

He can’t be—can’t bedead.

I scream, my siren rising within me. My wings flare wide and my scales ripple across my forearms, my skin burning bright, so terribly bright. My fingers throb where my claws have extended.

I don’t feel human, I don’t feel fae. I’m losing myself, my heart and head trying fruitlessly to slip down the bond I share with Des, chasing after the last echoes of his power.

But it’s gone. It’s gone and I don’t know if it’s ever coming back.

We will get it back—or else.

I’m screaming and screaming and screaming, and the whole world is falling. My pain is darkening, deepening like the night until I don’t know where the agony ends and the anger begins.

We’ll kill and kill and kill and kill and—

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